🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Daniel Petrie Jr.
- Genre: Comedy, War
- Release year: 1994
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.0/10 (15K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 12%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two dudes join the army to open an electronics store, end up fighting a war with a camel, and probably still don’t open that store because, let’s face it, they’re not very good at planning.
🍿 In the Army Now: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Start of a Slacker’s Journey
Bones Conway, played by Pauly Shore, and his best friend Jack Kaufman, portrayed by Andy Dick, are down-on-their-luck electronics store employees in Glendale, California. After a series of mishaps and workplace antics, they find themselves unemployed and desperate for cash to fund their dream of opening their own electronics store. Desperate times call for desperate measures, leading them to consider joining the Army Reserves.

Joining the Reserves: A Misguided Plan
Thinking it’s an easy way to make some quick money with minimal effort, Bones convinces Jack to enlist in the Army Reserves. They opt for water purification specialists, assuming that role would keep them far from any actual combat. They quickly learn they have gravely underestimated the commitment required. The pair undergo rigorous basic training under the watchful eye of Sergeant Ladd.

From Basic Training to the Front Lines
Bones and Jack, along with fellow recruits Christine Jones (Lori Petty), a tough, independent woman, and Fred Ostroff (David Alan Grier), a nervous dentist, complete their basic training, much to their surprise. Their dreams of an easy gig are shattered when they are called into active duty to serve in the conflict between Chad and Libya. Thrust into a real war, they must find a way to survive and contribute, despite their lack of experience and initial reluctance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Bones Conway (Pauly Shore): A hapless electronics store clerk who joins the Army Reserves for easy money but ends up in active combat.
- Christine Jones (Lori Petty): A tough and enthusiastic soldier in the water purification unit, eager to prove herself in combat.
- Jack Kaufman (Andy Dick): Bones’s dim-witted best friend who reluctantly joins the Army Reserves and provides comic relief.
- Fred Ostroff (David Alan Grier): A nervous and anxiety-ridden dental student who seeks to conquer his fears by joining the Army Reserves.
- Sgt. Stern (Esai Morales): A serious and dedicated Special Forces sergeant who clashes with Bones and his misfit crew.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bones: “I’ve seen lots of camel toes before, but never on a camel!” – Bones makes this crude joke when he sees a camel during the deployment in Africa.
💰Box Office
- Budget: None
- Domestic Gross: $28,881,266
- Worldwide Gross: $28,881,266
💥 In the Army Now Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit it. I have a soft spot for this movie. It’s dumb, yes, but it’s also hilarious. I remember watching it as a teenager and laughing until I cried during the basic training scenes. David Alan Grier’s nervous portrayal is gold. This movie makes me feel nostalgic for simpler times when Pauly Shore was a thing.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Pauly Shore and 90s comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy slapstick humor and fish-out-of-water stories”
- “Those looking for a lighthearted and undemanding movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Suggestive humor and innuendo”
- “Some mild language”
- “Stereotypical portrayals of military life”
Professional Reviews
- ScreenRant: “While not a cinematic masterpiece, the film offers a lighthearted take on military service with Pauly Shore’s signature humor. The 30-year-old war satire movie is surprisingly very realistic, according to an army expert.
- AllMovie: “Shore’s antics are kind of endearing like his haircut, and it has a few good laughs. It’s not hilarious or anything, but it is barely good enough to recommend.
Audience Reactions
The basic training scenes are surprisingly funny and relatable.: Viewers appreciate the blend of slapstick humor and heart.
Pauly Shore and David Alan Grier’s comedic chemistry is a highlight.: Fans enjoy the pairing of these two actors and find their interactions genuinely funny.
Overall Consensus: A goofy and lighthearted comedy that’s not for everyone, but fans of Pauly Shore and 90s slapstick will find it entertaining.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Brendan Fraser makes a cameo appearance as Link, his character from “California Man”, during the dinner scene in the tent with the Special Forces guys.”
- “The TV version of the film includes deleted scenes, one of which depicts Bones and his friends getting revenge on the Special Forces soldiers.”
- “The movie was filmed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.”
🖥️ How to Watch In the Army Now?
As of [Current Date – Replace with actual date], ‘In the Army Now’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as offerings may change over time.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed In the Army Now, you might like these similar films:
- Stripes (1981): Shares a similar ‘misfits in the army’ theme with comedic scenarios during basic training and unexpected deployment.
- Private Benjamin (1980): Focuses on a character who unexpectedly joins the army and navigates the challenges with humor.
- Renaissance Man (1994): Comedy about a man who unexpectedly finds purpose and meaning in the military.
🛒 In the Army Now Related Products
- In the Army Now Movie Poster: A vibrant poster featuring Pauly Shore and the cast, perfect for fans looking to decorate their space with a piece of 90s nostalgia.
- Army Men Action Figures: Plastic toy soldiers in green color for the kids. Comes with army equipment such as tanks, fighter jets and other fun army play set for all ages.
- Digital Download: The Best of Pauly Shore Comedy Collection: This digital compilation includes ‘In the Army Now’ along with other classic Pauly Shore films. Download and enjoy a binge-worthy trip down memory lane with all his best roles.
- Pauly Shore: Encino Man & In the Army Now Double Feature [DVD]: A DVD with both movies as a great addition to you DVD collection.
🎧 Soundtrack
In the Army Now features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Be All That You Can Be” – performed by U.S. Army Recruiting Command
- “The Dam at Otter Creek” – performed by Live
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘In the Army Now’ is a comedy and takes many liberties with the realities of military life. While it touches on some aspects of basic training, it primarily focuses on humor and exaggerated situations.
The movie was primarily filmed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which provided the backdrop for the basic training sequences and some of the desert scenes.
No, ‘In the Army Now’ is not a sequel or remake. It is an original story, although it draws inspiration from other military comedies like ‘Stripes’ and ‘Private Benjamin’.
🔥 Bonus Content
Ele acordou achando que tinha um 🦂 em suas costas …
Can you imagine waking up and finding out you’ve got *that* on your back? This clip from ‘In the Army Now’ is hilarious – you’ve gotta see this scene, it perfectly captures the movie’s goofy charm!
$2500 pra virar soldado, será que ninguém sabe dessa moleza …
Thinking about a quick way to make some cash? This clip shows how getting into the army can be easy money! I think there’s gotta be a catch, but check it out and see what you think!
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